Identification holder



C. E. ZIEGLER. IDENTIFICATION HOLDER. APPLICATION FILED 0C1- 29. 1921.

Patented Sept. 5, 1922'.

IN VENTOR WITNESSES PatentedSept. 5, 1922.

CHAIR-LES E. ZIEGLER, OF I ITTSBURGI-I, PENNSYLVANIA.

IDENTIFICATION HOLDER.

Application filed October 29, 1921. Serial No. 511,502.

To all whom itmay concern: I

Be it known that I, CHlfillLES E. ZIEGLER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsburgh, inthe county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Identification Holders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to identification holders, and while unlimited to such holders for any specific purpose, is particularly applicable to that type intended for use inQhos pitals for identifying patients,;it being understood that the identification of patients,

especially of infants in a hospital or nursery,

demands constant and careful attention.

Objects of the invention are to provide an identification means which is simple, cheap to manufacture, durable, accessible at all times and capable of instant and unmistakable interpretation, capable of being sealed against alteration, which is not easily mutilated, soiled or otherwise rendered indistinct, which is sanitary and which can be easily manipulated.

In the case of'the embodiment of the invention in a device for marking babies,

it is a special object to provide a device and one in which the identification insignia cannot, without'dete'ction, be purposely removed after application to the infant;

In the accompanying drawings, Fig.1 IS

a perspective view of the preferred-embodi ment of the invention illustrating the same applied and sealed to the wrist of an infant Fig. 2a central transverse sectionaljview through the device illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a similar view taken'in aplane at right angles to that of 2; Fig. 4: a plan view, of a modified form of the invention; Fig. 5' a central vertical sectional view with parts in elevation of the'device shown in 4; F ig. 6 a similar view taken ina place at right angles tothat ofFig-B; and Fig. 7 illustrates a modified form of sealing means. I, f

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated inFigsl to 3, 1 desighates the body portion of the holderwhich is attached to the wrist 2 of an infant by the elastic annulus 3. The body'l is preferprojecting pairs of lateral flanges 4, 5 and 6,7. Both of said pairs of flanges terminate short of each other, leaving spaces between them, theflanges 4 and 5 forming in conjunction with the bottom 8 a lower compartment and forming an upper compartment in conjunction with the flanges 6 and 7. A portion oft-he elastic annulus 3 lies within the lower compartment and is provided with enlargements or transverse flanges 9 and 10 ata point just beyond the ends of the body 1. These flanges project outwardly a sufficient distance to abut against'the ends of the upper compartment and close it, and are so shaped as to overhang the same to act as a seal to prevent, entrance of water as clearly shown in Fig. 2. t I

Disposed within the upper compartment is an identification label, 11 made ofany suitable material, such as ordinary cardboard bearing the identifying data, for instance, the name of the mother and the number of the room occupiedj In case the label llismade of non-flexible'material, it is shaped to conform to the curvature of the body 1.. Toprotect the label, a transparent window 12 in the form. of a strip of celluloid provide a device which can be readily washed without danger of soiling the label.

Flanges 9 and .10 of the annulus 3 are provided with central apertures 13, and 14: which open into a peripheral channel 15 formed in the annulus and extending between the flanges beyond the body portion 1. A non-extensibleflexible cord, strip or tape 16 of metal, fabric or other suitable material extends through the apertures 13, 14 traversing the space between the adjacent edges of flanges 1 and 5 andencircling the annulus 3, andflies in the channel 15. When the tape ismadeof metal, one terminalmay be provided with an aperturexl'? for the reception of a lug- 18 through which a seal may be passed to prevent undetected removal of label 11 after the device has been "applied tojthe wrist-of an infant. The details of the sealing, means are such that it.

illustrates a non-extensible cord 30 which may be used instead of the flat tape 16 shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the cord having its ends passed through a perforated shot 31 which is crushed thereupon as in the previously described construction.

The various parts are proportioned and assembled as follows: The portion of. the annulus 3 between the flanges 9 and 10, which when unstretched is shorter than the body 1, is stretched sufficiently to be easily inserted through the space between the flanges 4L and 5 after which it is allowed to contract and fill the lower compartment. slightly distending and flexing the annulus adjacent either flange 9 or 10 the end of the upper compartment is exposed so that the identification label or plate 11, together with the superposed window 12, can be easily inserted and slid into place. Release of the annulus permits the flanges to abut and overhang the ends of the compartment to seal the same. and to prevent escape or unauthorized removal of the label. The parts thus assembled are applied to the infants wrist at the time of birth by stretching the annulus to. such size as to be easily passed over the hand. Tape 16 is then threaded into position and sealed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or the cord 30 attached asillustrated in Fig. 7. After the device is applied, the tape or cord prevents the annulus from being stretched and the same cannot flex to any extent on account of the wrist of the infant. Flanges 9 and 10 therefore always remain substantially in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and prevent undetected removal of the label. After the holder has served its purpose, it can be easily removed by break ingdthe seal and unthreading the tape or CO1 A modification of the invention is shown in Figs. 4. to 6 in which form it is intended for application to the bed occupied by the patient and comprises a body portion 21 similar to the body 1 of the preferred form to which a. spring clip 22 is fixed by passing the same under a reinforcing strip 23 soldered to the bottom of the body, the clip being of a well known form as shown in Fig. 6 so as to enable the device to be easily applied to and removed from the part 2 1 of the bed. The identification label 25 and its flexing either terminal of the-strip 2-6, the

end of the upper compartment may be ex posed so that the label may be inserted or removed. It is obvious that a sealing means similar to that described above may also be used in this form.

It is thus seen that the invention provides a very simple, inexpensive and sanitary device for the purpose intended, and in its preferred form provides a wristlet from which the identification label. cannot be removed without detection or lost after it has been applied to the infant and. one which is of such size, weight and form as to give rise to no discomfort in wearing the same.

In both forms, above described, the clastic member is preferably made of the best quality of rubber and the metal parts of Monel metal which is a non-corrosive nickel alloy, but it is obvious that other materials having similar qualities may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is also to be understood that while I have illustrated and described forms particularly intended for use in hospital work, the invention maybe embodied in many other forms, such as shipping tags, baggage identification tags, etc, and it is not intended to limit the invention beyond that particularly defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An identification holder comprising a body portion having overhanging spaced apart lateral flanges at the top thereof forming a compartment, an identification label slidingly fitting said compartment, an extensible elastic strip extending through the body below said label and provided with an enlarged portion abutting the end of the compartment to close the same.

2. An identification holder comprising a body portion having pairs of oppositely disposed inwardly projecting lateral flanges forming compartments therein, the upper pair of flanges terminating short of each other so as to provide a space therebetween, an identification label slidingly fitting the upper compartment, an elastic strip disposed in the lower compartment projecting beyond the end of the body and provided with enlargements abutting the ends of the upper compartment to retain the label therein.

3. An identification holder comprising a body portion having pairs of oppositely disposed inwardly projecting lateral flanges forming compartments therein, the upper pair of flanges terminating short 'of each other so as to provide a space therebetween, an identification label slidingly fitting the upper compartment, an elastic strip disposed in the lower compartment projecting beyond the end of the body and provided with enlargements abutting the ends of the upper compartment to retain the label therein, and means for detachably attaching the holder to a support. 5

posed pairs of inwardly projecting. spaced a. An identificaticn holder comprising a body portion having'pairs-of oppositely disposed inwardly projecting lateral flanges forming compartments therein, the. upper pair of flanges terminating short of each other so as to provide a space therebetween, an identification label disposed in the upper compartment, a transparent window in the upper compartment above said label, an elastic strip extending through the lower compartment and provided with enlarge ments adjacent the ends of the body abutting the ends of the upper compartment to retain the label therein.

An identification holder comprising a curved body portion having pairs 01 inwardly projecting lateral flanges forming compartments therein, the upperpair of flanges being spaced apart to provide an open top, a removable identification label slidable in the upper compartment, an elastic strip disposed in the lower compartment and projecting beyond the body and provided with enlargements which close the ends of the upper compartment.

6. An identification holder comprising a curved body portion having oppositely disposed pairs of inwardly projecting spaced apart lateral flanges which cooperate to, form compartments, a removable identification label slidingly fitting the upper compartment, an elastic annulus. extending through the lower compartment, said annulus having enlargements thereon abutting the ends of the upper compartment to close the same.

7. An identification holder comprising a curved body portion having oppositely disapart lateral flanges which cooperate to form compartments. a removable identifica tion label, removably fitting the upper compartment, an elastic annulus removably fitting the lower compartment, and provided with transverse peripheral flanges which abut the ends of the upper compartmentto close the same. i

8. An identification holder comprising a curved body portion having oppositely disposed pairs of inwardly projecting but spaced apart lateral flanges which cooperate to form compartments, a removable identification label slidingly fitting the upper compartment, an elastic annulus removably fitting the lower compartment and provided with transverse peripheral flanges which abut the end of the upper compartment to close the same, and a non-extensible tape eucircling said annulus. I

9. An identification holder comprising a curved body portion having oppositely disposed pairs of inwardly projecting but spaced apart lateral flanges which cooperate to form compartments, a removable identification label slidingly fitting the upper the ends oftheupper compartment to close the same,a non-extensible flexible tape passing through the apertures in theenlargemerits and encircling the said annulus, and a seal for ,the'terminals of said tape.

; l0. an identification, holder compris ng a curved body portion having oppositely disposed pairs of inwardly projecting but spaced apart lateral flanges which cooperate toform compartments, a removable identification label slidingly fitting the upper compartment, an elastic annulus removably fitting the lower compartment and provided compartment and having centrally apertured transverse peripheral flanges which abut the ends of the upper compartment to close the same, said annulus being provided with a peripheral channel extending between the apertures beyond the body, a nonextensible flexible tape threaded through the said apertures "encircling the annulus and fitting in the said channel, and a seal for the terminals of the tape.

'12. An identification holder comprising a curved body portion having oppositely disposed pairs of inwardly but spaced apart lateral flanges which cooperate to form compartments, a removable identification label slidingly, fitting the upper compartment, a

transparent window in the upper compare,

ment overlying the label, an elastic annulus removably fitting the lower compartment compartment, an "elastic annulus extending through thelower compartment, said annulus having enlargements thereon abutting and having centrally apertured transverse peripheral flanges which abut the ends of the upper compartment to close the same,

said annulus being provided with a peripheralchannel extending between the apertures beyond the body, "a non-extensible1 flexible tape threaded through the said apertures encircling the annulus and fitting in the said channel, and a seal for the terminals of the tape. I

13. An identification holder comprising a curved body portion having oppositely disposed pairs of inwardly but spaced apart lateral flanges which cooperate to form compartments, a removable identification label &

10 tures beyond the body, a nonextensible flexible tape lying within the space between the lower pair of lateral flanges on the body portion and threaded through the said apertures encircling the annulus and fitting in the said channel, and a seal forthe termi- 15 nals of the tape.

In testimony whereof, I sign my name.

CHARLES E. ZIEGLER. Witness:

EDWIN O. JOHNS. 

